“Leave this place with me!” Seeing the frightened woman before him, Feng Zhiyao repeated firmly.
The Empress was stunned by his words, taking a long moment to recover before gently shaking her head. Anger rose in Feng Zhiyao’s eyes as he gritted his teeth, “Why?” The Empress lowered her gaze, concealing the sorrow and melancholy in her eyes. When she looked up at Feng Zhiyao, her face bore a faint smile as she said, “I am His Majesty’s wife, the mother of Great Chu. Anyone else can leave, but I cannot leave this place.” Though she held no romantic love for Mo Jingqi, she had not been dissatisfied when the late emperor arranged their marriage. That being the case, whether the days ahead were good or bad was no concern of others. She and Mo Jingqi were husband and wife, and he was her daughter’s father. She might not love him, but she must remain by his side. Before, she hadn’t understood Feng Zhiyao’s feelings; now that she did, she was even less able to leave with him. Taking the Empress of Great Chu from the palace would bring no good to Feng Zhiyao.
Feng Zhiyao stared fiercely at the Empress’s serene smile, nearly biting his lip bloody.
The Empress looked at him and said softly, “You’re not so young anymore. I hear the Princess of Ding is already with the child. You’re the same age as Prince Ding – you should find a good girl and marry too. Ah Yao, sister thanks you for visiting. But… don’t come again. The palace isn’t a place one can freely enter and leave – it’s not good for either of us.” Feng Zhiyao suddenly stood up, glaring at her, “Fine! Fine! I was presumptuous, I shouldn’t have come to disturb Her Majesty the Empress. I’ll take my leave then!” Though he said this, his feet didn’t move an inch. In truth, as soon as the words left his mouth, Feng Zhiyao was filled with regret. He knew she spoke that way only to make him leave, not because she truly feared he would bring her trouble. The Empress sighed softly, “Such a child’s temper. Go home.”
Feng Zhiyao stared at the Empress for a long while, unable to speak. He wanted to tell her what Mo Jingqi had done, wanted to tell her that Prince Ding would never spare Mo Jingqi. Wanted to beg her to leave with him. But he knew her – even if she knew all this, she still wouldn’t leave with him. Because from the moment she stepped into Prince Qi’s wedding sedan, her life’s glory and shame had been bound to Mo Jingqi alone. Even if Mo Jingqi truly became a fallen emperor, she would only accompany him in death.
“No matter what Mo Jingqi does, you won’t leave him?!” Feng Zhiyao said coldly. The Empress started – she was an extremely intelligent woman, and from Feng Zhiyao’s words, she understood that Mo Jingqi must have done something he shouldn’t have. A bitter smile touched her lips as she said, “As Empress, failing to advise His Majesty on virtue is my fault. If anything happens, I can only bear it together with him. Ah Yao, go and don’t come back. In the future, if you have the chance… please look after Changle for me.” Feng Zhiyao remained silent. Though Third Young Master Feng was clever and eloquent, he could never win against her – when she looked at him so calmly, he could say nothing at all. After a long silence, Feng Zhiyao finally nodded and said to the Empress, “Alright, I’ll go… take care of yourself…”
Watching Feng Zhiyao quickly disappear into the night through the window, the Empress stared blankly at the flickering candlelight, lost in thought. After a long while, she only let out a soft sigh.
Feng Zhiyao left the palace gates, flying over the capital’s streets, alleys, courtyards, and pavilions, covered in dew and chill as he landed in Qingcheng House’s back courtyard. It was already the fourth watch of the night, and even such an establishment of pleasure had fallen quiet. Feng Zhiyao entered the brothel, kicking open a door as he went in. Cold Haoyu, waiting inside, was startled by him and raised an eyebrow, “What’s wrong with you?” Feng Zhiyao shook his head, walked to the table, and sat down, grabbing a jug of wine and tilting it straight to his mouth. Cold Haoyu watched him while propping his chin, knowing something must have gone wrong. He patted Feng Zhiyao’s shoulder and said, “What’s troubling you? Later, my brother will drink with you for three days and nights until we’re properly drunk. But now… how did it go in the palace? Did you find any trace of the Biluo Flower?”
Feng Zhiyao put down the wine jug, frowning as he shook his head, “Qilin’s people turned Mo Jingqi’s sleeping palace inside out and found no trace at all. They even checked all the secret chambers.” Cold Haoyu frowned, “Could Tan Jizhi have deceived us?” Feng Zhiyao shook his head, “Impossible. The Southern Border Holy Maiden is still imprisoned in the northwest. The Southern Border Princess and Young Master Qingchen are friends – if the Holy Maiden dies, Tan Jizhi’s power in Nanzhao would completely vanish.” Cold Haoyu rubbed his forehead in frustration, thought for a moment, then looked up at Feng Zhiyao and asked, “What if we directly asked Mo Jingqi for it – do you think that’s possible?”
“Ask Mo Jingqi?” Feng Zhiyao started, looking at Cold Haoyu in confusion.
Cold Haoyu waved his fan while saying, “I fear no one in this world except Mo Jingqi himself knows where he’s hidden the Biluo Flower. What else can we do besides asking the man himself? Neither your time nor His Highness’s health can afford us working slowly and meticulously.” Feng Zhiyao had to admit Cold Haoyu was right. He couldn’t stay in the capital too long, and though Master Shen had mentioned that His Highness’s condition might not completely deteriorate within two years thanks to the Phoenix Tail Grass, the time wouldn’t be very long either. A year and a half had already passed. Though they could afford to spend time, His Highness’s health couldn’t wait. After deep thought, Feng Zhiyao said, “I need to think this through carefully. By the way, how’s the Raging Fire Lotus situation in Northern Rong?”
Cold Haoyu said, “Since His Highness can walk again, many people probably believe his poison has been cured. They’re not paying as much attention to the Raging Fire Lotus as before. I’ve arranged people – as soon as the lotus seeds mature, they’ll be retrieved immediately.” Feng Zhiyao nodded, “Whether it works or not, it’s better to prepare more. If we can’t get the Biluo Flower in time, Master Shen might find a way with the Raging Fire Lotus.” In truth, no one was very optimistic about the Biluo Flower. Besides the time and effort needed to find it, the lost ancient prescription was also problematic. So while researching the Biluo Flower, Shen Yang was also focusing on medicines that could substitute for or temporarily control the poison in His Highness’s body. Cold Haoyu nodded seriously – everything they were doing was based on Prince Ding staying alive. If anything happened to Prince Ding, all their efforts would be wasted. This was also why, despite the Mo family army occupying the entire northwest for so long, their top commanders hadn’t become more aggressive. The more they did now, the greater the blow to the Mo family army would be if something happened to His Highness.
“Good, let’s do it this way. Just let me know how many experts you need,” Cold Haoyu said as he stood up. Feng Zhiyao had only brought some guards and a dozen of Qilin’s people this time. Though they were elite fighters, there were too few. Feng Zhiyao raised an eyebrow and smiled, “Speaking of experts, before leaving, Her Highness gave me quite an expert. As long as he behaves, it might not be impossible to even grab Mo Jingqi from the palace.”
“Oh?” Cold Haoyu asked curiously, “Her Highness has such an expert under her command?”
Feng Zhiyao chuckled and said, “Mu Qingcang, one of the world’s four great masters. Add Qilin to that – do you think it’s enough?”
Cold Haoyu paused, then clapped and laughed, “Enough, more than enough.” One of the world’s four great masters, plus the ghostlike Qilin. Unless Mo Jingqi’s palace was an impenetrable fortress without a single crack, they would be able to drag him out.
In the Emperor’s chambers, Mo Jingqi entered from outside with a gloomy expression, his oppressive aura making the eunuchs and palace maids following behind tremble and lower their heads, not daring to look at their master ahead. Standing at the door, Mo Jingqi turned and swept his gaze over the terrified crowd, angrily shouting, “All of you get out!” Everyone’s hearts lifted in relief as they scrambled away. In an instant, only Mo Jingqi remained in the hall, the magnificent imperial chambers appearing empty and cold. Mo Jingqi stepped inside, kicking over a small table holding an antique vase, and then other objects in the hall met similar fates. The palace maids and eunuchs guarding outside only heard crashing and banging sounds from within, knowing that His Majesty was smashing things again.
“Sir…” a new young eunuch anxiously asked the head eunuch, was it really alright for His Majesty to smash things and rage like this?
The head eunuch was long accustomed to this and calmly said, “Guard well, and don’t ask what you shouldn’t.”
“Yes.” The young eunuch nodded, seeming to understand but not quite.
“Mo Xiu Yao! Ye Li! I must kill you both!” Inside the hall, having vented thoroughly, Mo Jingqi looked at the mess everywhere and roared. Just thinking of the news he received at morning court made Mo Jingqi’s fury burn uncontrollably – he even wanted to kill the messenger. The child Ye Li bore, Mo Xiu Yao dared to openly name him the Crown Prince of Ding. He had already issued an edict stripping the title of Prince of Ding, yet Mo Xiu Yao’s actions clearly showed defiance against him. He even openly sent invitations to nobles from various nations to attend the one-month celebration for the Crown Prince of Ding in Ruyang. This was an honor not even given to imperial princes of Great Chu – did Mo Xiu Yao want to tell the world that his son was more noble than the imperial princes?
“Mo Xiu Yao… Mo Xiu Yao… If I hadn’t failed to kill you then, I wouldn’t have raised a tiger to harm me today! Just you wait!”
“Your Majesty, Prime Minister Liu requests an audience,” the head eunuch carefully announced from outside.
Mo Jingqi’s eyes darkened as he said coldly, “Get in here!”
The hall doors were pushed open from outside, and then quickly closed. Prime Minister Liu walked in carefully, and observed Mo Jingqi’s expression before kneeling to bow, “Your humble servant greets Your Majesty.” Mo Jingqi coldly snorted and asked, “What does the Prime Minister think of this morning’s memorial?” Mo Jingqi didn’t tell him to rise, so Liu didn’t dare stand, raising his head with righteous indignation as he said, “Your Majesty, Mo Xiu Yao’s actions are utterly treasonous. Since last year, Mo Xiu Yao has committed many acts of defiance, his wolfish ambitions clear as day. Your Majesty has shown him much mercy, yet he continues to act willfully and grows increasingly arrogant and presumptuous. I request Your Majesty issue an edict for severe punishment!”
Liu’s words pleased Mo Jingqi, whose expression softened slightly as he nodded, “You may rise. What are your suggestions?”
Liu thought briefly before clasping his hands and reporting, “Mo Xiu Yao is far in the northwest – even if Your Majesty wishes to punish him, it may be beyond reach. In your servant’s opinion, we should immediately seal off Prince Ding’s mansion in the capital as a warning to others. Additionally, the Xu family in Yunzhou are Prince Ding’s maternal relatives and have long maintained close relations with his household. I request Your Majesty issue an edict to immediately arrest the entire Xu clan of Yunzhou, confiscate their property, and execute them as an example to others!”
“This…” Though Mo Jingqi had long disliked the Xu family, he still hesitated slightly at the mention of confiscation. Liu hurriedly said, “Your Majesty’s wisdom is clear. The Xu family controls Great Chu’s most prestigious Lishan Academy. Their students make up a huge portion of each imperial examination, and nearly half the court officials graduated from there. If the Xu clan allies with Mo Xiu Yao, then these officials and scholars…” Liu didn’t finish his sentence, but the implications were enough to make Mo Jingqi think. Sure enough, Mo Jingqi’s expression changed as he nodded, “Prime Minister Liu speaks truly. This matter is yours to handle. Make sure it doesn’t invite criticism from the common people.” Liu smiled, “Your Majesty need not worry. The Xu family’s relationship with Mo Xiu Yao is known to all. Now that Mo Xiu Yao acts treasonously, the Xu family cannot avoid involvement.” Mo Jingqi nodded with satisfaction, “Very good, you may withdraw.”
“Your servant takes his leave.”
Watching Liu withdraw, Mo Jingqi’s mood improved considerably. He could hardly wait to see Mo Xiu Yao’s expression when he captured the Xu family, though unfortunately, he wouldn’t be able to witness it personally – quite regrettable. As he was thinking this, suddenly there was a sharp pain at the back of his neck. Mo Jingqi’s vision went black and he immediately fell into darkness.
When Mo Jingqi came to again, he found himself not in his magnificent imperial chambers, but in an empty room. The room had nothing in it – besides the chair he sat in, there wasn’t even any furniture to help judge where he might be. But Mo Jingqi understood one thing clearly: he had been kidnapped, and wherever he was now was not in the palace. Mo Jingqi’s heart sank as he looked down at the ropes binding him tightly to the chair, struggling futilely, “Guards! Come quickly! What brazen thieves dare do this – show yourselves!”
The door creaked open slightly. Mo Jingqi faced away from the door and couldn’t see anything, but he could sense someone entering. He shouted harshly, “You have such great audacity, daring to kidnap Us. Quickly untie Us and We might spare your lives.”
“Oh my, this young master is so scared…” A laugh tinged with cold mockery came from behind. Mo Jingqi turned his head to look – three men in black stood behind him. They were dressed entirely in black from head to toe, even their faces were covered leaving only their eyes visible. Mo Jingqi looked again and again but found he couldn’t tell at all whether these were people he knew or strangers.
“Who are you people? Do you know the crime of kidnapping Us?” Mo Jingqi said harshly.
Feng Zhiyao narrowed his eyes as he looked at the man in imperial yellow dragon robes before him. He was indeed handsome – the Mo family were all good-looking. But the bearing between his brows fell far short of Prince Ding’s. Even as he pretended to be calm, Feng Zhiyao could still see fear in the depths of his eyes. He smiled thoughtfully – fear was good.
“What crime is kidnapping the Emperor?” Feng Zhiyao smiled amiably as he looked at Mo Jingqi and asked, “Is there such a law in Great Chu’s code?”
Mo Jingqi was speechless – of course, there was no such law in Great Chu’s code because no one would dare kidnap the Emperor. “Outrageous!” Feng Zhiyao laughed coldly, leaning forward with his elbow on the chair’s back, looking down at Mo Jingqi as he smiled, “Since we’ve invited Your Majesty here, we naturally know the consequences. So Your Majesty had better not waste words, or else…” A small dagger suddenly appeared in his previously empty fingers. Feng Zhiyao carelessly traced the knife tip along Mo Jingqi’s neck – the cold sharp blade instantly raised goosebumps on Mo Jingqi’s neck. “What… what do you want?”
Cold Haoyu, leaning against the wall to one side, smiled and said, “Actually it’s nothing much, we just want to borrow something from Your Majesty. Your Majesty possesses all within the four seas – surely you won’t be so miserly?” Though Cold Haoyu’s words sounded incredibly gentle, one couldn’t ignore the threat within them.
Mo Jingqi quickly glanced at the blade at his neck and asked, “What do you want?”
“The Biluo Flower,” Feng Zhiyao said softly.
Mo Jingqi started, saying, “We don’t know what you’re talking about. What Biluo Flower?”
Feng Zhiyao smiled coldly, “They say the Biluo Flower can regrow flesh on bone and revive the dead. I wonder if this blade pierces down… could the Biluo Flower save you?” A slight stinging at his neck – Mo Jingqi felt something flowing down his neck. It was his blood! His heart trembling, Mo Jingqi hurriedly cried, “Wait! The Biluo Flower has been lost for over a hundred years – who told you We have it?”
Feng Zhiyao smiled, “No harm in telling Your Majesty. There’s a young master surnamed Tan, given name Jizhi – does Your Majesty know him?”
Mo Jingqi froze. Tan Jizhi? He might have been able to deny it if it were anyone else, but of course, Tan Jizhi knew clearly because the item was originally presented to him by Tan Jizhi. He had thought Mo Xiu Yao had killed Tan Jizhi, could it be… “You’re Mo Xiu Yao’s people?!”
As if seeing what he was thinking, Feng Zhiyao smiled coldly, “Your Majesty needn’t waste mental effort. Quite a few people know that treasure is in Your Majesty’s hands. Tan Jizhi is still alive, right now in the capital.”
“He’s in your hands?”
Feng Zhiyao shook his head, “Though we’re also looking for him, knowing the Biluo Flower’s whereabouts is enough for now. It seems Tan Young Master wasn’t so loyal to Your Majesty after all. According to my knowledge, Tan Young Master returned to the capital over two months ago – didn’t Your Majesty know?”
Mo Jingqi cursed silently – he indeed hadn’t known. He had thought Mo Xiu Yao must have secretly killed Tan Jizhi, but now it seemed Mo Xiu Yao had released him, and he chose not to return. Needless to say… he had betrayed him. Thinking of this, Mo Jingqi’s heart tightened. Did Tan Jizhi’s betrayal mean that matter was already known to Mo Xiu Yao?!
“I truly admire Your Majesty, able to get lost in thought at a time like this,” Feng Zhiyao smiled. “Choose – the Biluo Flower’s location or Your Imperial Majesty’s life?”
“Kill me and you’ll never escape the capital!” Mo Jingqi raged.
Feng Zhiyao smiled, “Who told you we’re in the capital now? I could kill Your Majesty right now and still swagger into the capital to find lodging. The Biluo Flower must be in the palace – I can take my time searching. Since Your Majesty is so stubborn, it seems Great Chu needs a new emperor to ascend the throne.” As he finished speaking, he raised the dagger toward Mo Jingqi’s neck without any hesitation.
“Wait!” Mo Jingqi cried in alarm. Seeing the dagger stop barely at his neck, he broke out in a cold sweat.
“I’ll tell you…” Mo Jingqi’s face was already ashen, his eyes full of fear. “The Biluo Flower is… is in the Empress’s palace.”
Feng Zhiyao started, his phoenix eyes narrowing coldly, “You would keep such a treasure in the Empress’s palace?”
Mo Jingqi said, “Precisely because it’s precious, keeping it in the Empress’s palace draws less attention. The Biluo Flower looks like jade – eight years ago I had it modified as a gift to the Empress and ordered her to keep it safe. So she would never use the Biluo Flower herself or give it to others.”
Feng Zhiyao stood up and said, “You’d better be telling the truth.”
“We speak no falsehood. When will you release Us?”
Feng Zhiyao walked toward the door, “As soon as we get the item, you can leave anytime. But if there’s any problem with the item, Your Majesty knows the consequences!”
Mo Jingqi said dejectedly, “We understand.”